Community Newspaper Special Sections Bergen County Fall Dining Guide | Página 12
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2016 FALL DINING GUIDE
Trick plays for
budget-savvy tailgaters
GET IN THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT
Whether you’re grilling outside the stadium or
spending halftime hanging out in your backyard,
Ben recommends laying out a variety of games
for guests to enjoy, such as a wood-block game
with blocks painted in your team colors.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Sand down wooden four-by-fours.
2. Cut into 48 pieces, each eighteen inches.
3. Stack pieces into a tower.
4. Take turns pulling pieces to see who knocks
the tower over first.
For added flair and personalization, Erin suggests painting the wooden blocks your team colors.
BRING THE STADIUM TO YOUR LIVING ROOM
If you missed out on tickets or your home team
is on the road, you can still make your home feel
like a day at the stadium. Decorating your home
with the team’s colors – such as creating DIY wall
art with framed jerseys – is a simple, cost-efficient
way to capture the tailgate essence.
Ben suggests setting up a big screen TV on
the deck or outdoor living area with speakers to
mimic the feeling of watching a game outside in
the stands. For inexpensive, comfy seating that
will help welcome guests and add another pop of
team spirit, try purchasing throw pillows in your
team’s colors from a wholesale club or superstore, but make sure to weatherproof them first
using fabric protection spray.
CREATE A TAILGATING SPACE THAT STANDS OUT
One of the best parts of tailgating at the
stadium is being surrounded by fellow fans. Try
sprucing up your car or tent to create an inviting
space that showcases your team pride. Ben
recommends investing in a large, custom-designed
vinyl or fabric banner for your tent. Not only can
they be affordable to produce and last for many
seasons, but they stand out in a crowd.
DEFEAT YOUR BUDGET
“Planning for a busy football season doesn’t
need to be a ‘loss’ for your budget,” Ben said.
“Turning to a credit card that rewards you for
everyday purchases is one of the easiest ways to
‘win’ this season.” ◆
(Family Features)
FAMILY FEATURES
A
s fall settles in, the air gets crisper and
the kids head back to school, many
Americans eagerly anticipate one
thing: football season.
Whether you’re a die-hard gridiron
fan or prefer to enjoy the food and festivities from
the sidelines, everyone can agree that a successful
tailgate is key to any memorable game day
get-together. According to a recent Bank of
America survey, 34 percent of Americans plan to
attend a professional or college football game or
tailgate this fall, and 20 percent plan to host a
tailgate or viewing party themselves.
While many love planning out meals, decorations
and activities for friends and family, the costs can
easily add up and make hosting feel like an
underdog game. So how can fans plan a tailgate
that stays on budget and impresses any crowd –
home or away?
Home design and DIY experts Ben and Erin
Napier teamed with Bank of America to provide
these cost-savvy tips for pulling off a memorable
tailgate that fits the bill for every fan on game day.
Tailgating
does not have
to be some
big, expensive
affair. Bring
the Sunday
tailgate to
your backyard
and entertain
like a pro, for
less, on game
day.